Here's how many compensatory picks the Cowboys will receive in 2024
The Dallas Cowboys aren't set to benefit a lot from an NFL rule they usually take advantage of every year in 2024: Compensatory draft picks. Ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Cowboys were among the biggest winners from the rule as the compensatory picks formula made them one of the teams with the third-most […]
The Dallas Cowboys aren't set to benefit a lot from an NFL rule they usually take advantage of every year in 2024: Compensatory draft picks.
Ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Cowboys were among the biggest winners from the rule as the compensatory picks formula made them one of the teams with the third-most compensatory selections. With a team-building mentality that features a shy approach to free agency, the Cowboys are usually benefitting from this particular NFL rule.
Time for a quick refresher before we dive into the projected compensatory picks for the Cowboys in 2024: Comp picks are determined by a formula that takes into account salary, playing time, and postseason honors. To keep it simple, if a team loses more key free agents than it gains in any given offseason, they'll be compensated for it with draft picks the following year.
In an offseason in which they lost two key starters on offense in LG Connor McGovern and TE Dalton Schultz, many expected their losses to yield significant comp picks. However, the fact that these two really didn't break the back of their new teams, the Cowboys stand to win very little.
According to a recent NFL.com projection from Lance Zierlein, the Cowboys are set to receive only a couple of sixth-round draft picks in 2024.
It's important to note the Cowboys didn't sign any compensatory free agents this offseason, another reason why their trades for Brandin Cooks and Stephon Gilmore were very positive (Trade additions do not impact the formula).
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from this is the fact that the market reflected exactly what the Cowboys thought it would when it comes to Dalton Schultz. He signed with the Houston Texans for a deal that didn't come close to landing among the highest-paid tight ends in the league.
The Texans signed the former Cowboy tight end to a one-year deal worth $6.25M worth up to $9M including incentives.
The Cowboys preferred to bet on a draft class loaded with tight ends and got a more athletic player for the position by selecting Luke Schoonmaker out of Michigan. Whether or not that bet ultimately plays out how they intend it to, the NFL market seemed to agree with their perspective of Schultz.
